Automatic pumping sprinkler system



J. R. HAMILTON.

AUTOMATIC PUMPHfJG SPRINKLER SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, 1911.

1,405,411. Patented F 7, 1922,

Z SHEETS-SHEET 1- 3,2 ROTARY 33 I GONG] J. R. HAMILTON.

AUTOMATIC PUMPlNG SPRINKLER SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, I917- Patented 7 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- ROTARY aouq JOHN R. EAMILTON, or YONKERS, new YORK, ASSIGNOR TO SYLPHO-CI-IEMICAD srnmxman coarorm'rron; on NEW YORK, 1v. Y., A CORPORATION on NEW YORK;

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, JOHN R. HAMILTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Yonkers, \Vestchestercounty, State of New York, have made a certain new and useful Invention Relating to Automatic Pumping Sprinkler Systems, of which the following is a specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, which forms part of the same.

This invention relates especially to wet pipe automatic sprinkler systems, that is, fire extinguishing apparatus in which the distributing system is normally charged with non-freezing or other extinguishing liquid which is automatically supplied thereto in amounts to make up forleakage or the like by an automatic pumping mechanism which may be actuated by liquid under pressure from the city main or other main water pipe connected to the extinguishing system. In case a city connection or other municipal water system connection is used for this purpose, the pumping device may be of such type as to be actuated intermittently whenever a water hammer impulse or other pressure fluctuation occurs in the main so as to keep the distributing system always, pumped up tot-he desired pressure.

In the accompanying drawings showing in a somewhat ,diagrammatic way illus trative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is an elevation partly in section through one form of apparatus; and

Fig.2 is a similar view showing another arrangement. I I

The distributing system of any desired style and arrangement may comprise the riser 1 and oneor more sprinkler lines 2 connected therewith and carrying automatic sprinkler heads or other distributing devices .3 arra1'1ged at the desired points throughout the building to be protected. The riser may be connected to the casing 63 of the main"differential or alarm -valve and this entire distributing system is preferably charged under the deslred pressure with extinguishing liquid, whichi'or some purposes is non-freezing, such for instance as a suitable solution of calclum chlorlde.

The alarm valve may 'beof any desired construction and may comprise the valve 7 mounted on the arm lOso as to swing about the pivot 11 in the casing and thisvalve may cooperate with the seat 9 controlling AUTOMATIC PUMPING SPRINKLER SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedFeb. :7,

the passage 24 to the main water pipe the valve also controlling through? the yieldable washer or connection-8 the outer valve seat communicating with the difler- 1 ential or drip chamber 12.] In. this way the valve has the desired differential closing action, so that the desired proportionate increase of pressure'must be exerted below before the valve will open; This drip ch'ams ber may be-provided'v with a ball check drip valve 25 controlling the discharge from the drip pipe 26 anclit isdesirable for some purposes to have the steamer .con-

'nection communicate with this drip chamber, for which purpose the Siamese'type connection 5 having the check valves 6-may communicate with this chamber Under fire emergency conditions when fluid i'sf-discharged from-the sprinkler heads the falttl'm valve opens, .thus admitting j liquid to the differential drip jchamber which promptly forces the ball check valve 25 shut. LThis liquid can then exert pressure through the alarm connection'27, 28 soas to raise the diaphragm 29. and the connected electric contact 30 actuating .the bell--or: other alarm signal 32 by thebattery 31,v for III-i stance. Under'theselcondition liquid also flows throughft'he alarm pipefi so siiwgf I desirable in somefcases,tog.liave a tomatic locking type described in greater. v

detail. in thelHamilton' Patent 1,222,397,} of

April 10, 1917. j This shut ofl" valve may .7

have thestem actuated byi the valve op erating wheel or handle 18yto: which a looking ratchet 17 may be connected. Under normal inoperative conditions the closing movement of this wheel or operfatmghandle is prevented by the lockin g, pawl engaging this ratchetan'd mounted onthe lever 16 connected as bythe link 20 witha flexible control diaphragm I 15 injthe chamber I pressure in jthe drip chamber is transmitted; through the controlpipe l 3;soas ,to raise Under' emergencyconditions, however, the I this diaphragm, 15 and release the locking I pawl from theratchet so-that the shut-off valve may be manually closed as long as the system is'in th S-Bmergency condition,

although this locking mechanism being enclosed in the chamber 19 cannot be manually released and this prevents the closing of this shut-off valve so long the system remains in its normal charged inoperative condition.

Any suitable pump may be connected to the distributing system to supply thereto further amounts of the desired non-freezing more connected pistons, so that an impulse '1n the power chamber acts through these connections and devices to cause a pumping 'im ulse or action in the Jumoin chamber.

An illustrative form of such pump is shown in Fig. 1 as comprising a bracket 4'? on which. is mounted the expanding power chamber 50 of flexible or resilient corrugated sheet metal or other suitable material so that the pump piston or diaphragm L9 may thus move up' and down in accordance with the pressure variations in this chamber. an opposed similarly constructed pumping chamber 48 is arranged above this piston and rigidly supported by: the bracket 4C6, a

suitable differential or return spring 70 bell? desired, arranged in this pipe.

ing, if desired, arranged above this piston so as to normally force the same down with the desired differential pressure. A liquid supply tank, such as 37, containing the desired non-freezing extinguishing liquid 38, which may be supplied through the venting aperture 36 may be connected through the supply pipe 39 with the pumping chamber, a check valve 40 and control valve 41 being, 7 A supply connection, such as the pipe d5, may connect the pumping chamber with any desired part of the distributing system, such as the valve casing. 63, a similar check valve 43 and con trol valve 44 being, if desired, arranged in thls connectlon.

The fluid to actuate the pump may be supplied thereto through the pump connection 51, 52. The inevitable water hammer impulses and other pressure fluctuations occurring in a city or si i water system to which the sprinkler apparat'us may be connected through the main water pipe 23 are, of course, transmitted to the pump and act in the expanding power cham'berto reuse the plston or diaphragm whenever the pressure increases appreciably and this correspondingly reduces the volume plpe.

of the pumping chamber so as to force therefrom into the distributing system a corre sponding amount of non-freezing or'other extinguishing liquid. lVhen-this momentary pressure increase in the water main ceases the pressure in the power chamber 50 correspondingly decreases and allows the pump piston l!) to fall so that a corresponding amount of liquid is withdrawn from the supply tank 37 past the check'valve 40 and intov the pumping chamber. 4-3, determine the direction of flow of this liquid and the amount delivered at each The check valves l-0,.

tributmg system reaches the desired proportion of the pressure in the main water When this desired distributing system pressure has been reached pumping action stops until through leakage or otherwise the pressure in the distributing system decreases which again starts the pump. It is of course understood that the. pumping chamber contains considerable additional exinguishing fluid which can be forced therefrom into the distributing system to supply leakage therefrom and keep this system largely or substantially up to the desired pressure where the diiierential spring is not used, even it the supply pipe 39 or its valves fail or it the connected tank is not used, for instance, and this action is caused by the static pressure in the main water pipe regardless of momentary fluctuations. For some purposes it is desirable to provide a pump operating valve, such as 53, in the pump connection to effect the operation of the pump when said valve is open, or when the valve is shut to stop this pumpingacti'on altogether and shut off the liquid supplied to the pump in case ofrepairs or inspections, for instance, and if desired, a suitable waste pipe 55 and waste valve 5i may communicate with the power chamber of the pump so that it may be drained whenever desired. These valves may also be-operated manually to operate the pump or to secure a special pumping action under some conditions, since specially large volume pumping impulses may be effected by alternately shutting the waste valve 54 and opening the pump valve 53 which puts the power chamber under full pressure and then shutting the pump valve and opening the waste valve the pump is operating. so Constructed and proportioned especially. 7, in the relative size of its power and pumping cylinders or parts that, when the distributconnected to the liquid supply tank 57 containing the non-freezing or other extinguishing liquid 66 to be supplied to the distributing system and this liquid may pass to the pump through the supply pipe 58 wlnch may have a controlvalve 67 therein and then be delivered tov the distributing system through the supply connection 56 communicating therewith at any suitable point and having the control valve 68. The pump may be actuated by the pressure of the. liquid in the main water pipe 23 or connected passage 24 with which may communicate the pump connection 60 leading to the valve chamber of the pump and provided, if desired, with a pump operating valve 61. to efi'ect the operation ofthe pump. The water discharged from this power chamber of the pump may pass through the waste pipe 62, 65, in which may be arranged a sight connection 64 indicating the extent to which This pump 59 is ingsystemhas been pumped up to the ,desired pressure, the pump automatically stops because the pressure of the water in the mainwater pipe is no longer able to overcome the resulting increased back pressure in the pump. I v i This invention hasbeen described in connection with a number of illustrative embodiments, forms, arrangements, proportions, parts, materials and methods of operation,to the details of which disclosure the invention is not of course to be limited, since what is claimed as new and what, is desired to besecured by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

' 1. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a dis-. tributing system comprising automatic sprinkler heads and charged with non-freezing extinguishing liquid under pressure, a main water pipe connected tofa water system under varying pressures to'supply additional extinguishing liquid to said system under fire emergency conditions, a differential alarm valve between said distributing system and water pipe and comprising a drip chamber and alarm devices connected thereto, a valved steamer connection communicatingwith said system through said chip chamber, an automatic locking shut-ofi valve betweensaid main water pipe and said alarm. valve and an auto-matlc pump to force additional amounts of non-freezing.

liquid into said distributing system to maintain the desired pressure therein, said pump comprising an, expanding power chamber and an opposed pumping chamber formed of corrugated resilient material and a diaphragm pump piston between said chambers, a differential return spring acting on said pump piston, a valved pump connection between; said power chamber and said main water pipe, at valved waste pipe communieating with said power chamber, a supply connection comprising a check valve and 5 control valve between said pumping chamber and said distributing system, a liquid supply tank and aconnection having a check valve between said tank andsaid pumping chamber.

2. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a dis .tributing system charged with extinguishing liquid under pressure, a main water pipe connected to a water system under varying pressure to supply additional extinguishing liquid to: said. system under fire emergency conditions, t,(l1fi6l6lltla1 alarm. valve between said distributing system and water pipe land comprising a drip chamber and;

alarm devices connected thereto; a valved steamer connection communicating with said system through said drip chamber and an automatic pump to-io-rce additional amounts of liquid intosaid distributing system to maintain the desired pressure therein, said pump comprising a power chamber and an opposed pumping chamber, a valved pump connection between said powerchamber and said' main water pipe, a valved waste pipe communicating with saidpower chamber, a supply connection comprising a check'va'lve and control "valve between said pumping chamber andv said distributing system, a liquid supply tank and a connection having check valve between .said pumping chamber.

- 3. In fire extinguishing.apparatus, a dis;

tributingsystem charged with extinguishing liquid under pressure, a main. water pipeconnected to awater system under varymg pressure to supply additional extinguishingl-lqllld tosaldjsystem under 'fire emergency conditions,,a differential alarm valve between said distributing' system and water plpe and comprising a drip chamber and alarm devices connected th'e reto,- a V valved steamer. connect on communicating with said system through said drip chamber, and an automatic pump to fo-rcefadditank "and said tional amounts of liquid into said distributing system 'tomaintain the'desired pressure therein, said.-pump* comprising :a-' power chamber and an opposed pumpingichamber,

a valved pump connection between said power chamber and said main water pipe, a waste pipe communicating with said power chamber, a. supply connection comprising a ,control valve between said pumping chamber and said distributing system, a liquid supply tank and a connection between said tank and said pumping chamber 4:. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system charged with extinguishing liquid under pressure, a main water pipe to supply additional extinguishing liquid to said system under lire emergency conditions, a. differential alarm valve between said distributing system and water pipe and comprising a drip chamber and alarm de vices connected thereto and a steamer connection communicating with said system through said drip chamber.

5. In automatic sprinkler fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system comprising automatic sprinkler heads and charged with non-freezing extinguishing liquid under pressure, a main water pipe connected to a municipal water system to supply additional extinguishing liquid to said system under fire emergency conditions, a differential valve between said distributing system and water pipe and an automatic pump to force additional amountsof liquid I into said distributing system to maintain the desired pressure therein, said pump com prising a power chamber and an opposed pumping chamber, a valved pump connection between said power chamber and said main water pipe, a valved waste pipe communicating with said power chamber, a sup- ,ply' connection comprising a check valve and control valve between said pumping chamber and said distributing system, a liquid supply tank and a. connection having a check valve between; said tank and said pumping chamber.

-6. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system charged with non-freezing extinguishing liquid under pressure, a main water pipe connected to a municipal water system to supply additional extinguishing liquid to said system under fire emergency conditions, a diderential valve between said distributing system and water pipe and an automatic pump to force additional amounts of liquid into said distributing system to maintain the desired pressure'therein, said pump comprising a power chamber and an opposed pumping chamber, a valved pump connection between said power chamber and said main water pipe, and a supply connection comprising a check valve and control valve between said pumping chamber and said. distributing system.

7. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system charged with non-freezing extinguishing liquid under pressure, a main waterpipe connected to a municipal water system to supply additional extinguishing liquid to said system under fire emergency conditions, a differential valve between-said distributing system and water pipe and an automatic pump to force additional amounts of liquid into said distributing system to maintain the desired pressure therein, said pump comprising a power chamber and a pumping chamber, a pump connection beween said power chamber and said main water pipe and a supply connection comprising a check valve and control valve between said pumping chamber and said distributing system.

8. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system charged with extinguishing liquid under pressure, a main water pipe connected to a municipal water system to supply additional extinguishing liquid to said system under tire emergency conditions, a differential valve between said distributing system and water pipe and an automatic pump to force additional amounts of liquid into said distributing system to maintain the desired pressure therein, said pump com prising a power chamber connected with and receiving its power from the water supply for the system and a pumping chamber and a supply connection between said pumping chamber and said distributing system. i

9. in fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system comprising automatic sprinkler heads and charged with extinguishing liquid under pressure, a main water pipe to supply additional extinguishing liquid to said system under fire emergency conditions, 7

a differential alarm valve between saidjdistributing system and water pipe and an automatic pump to force additional amounts of liquid into said distributing system to maintain the desired pressure therein, said pump comprising a power. chamber and a pumping chamber, a valved pump connection between said power chamber and said main water pipe, avalved waste pipe communicating with said power chamber, a sup.- ply connection comprising a control valve between said pumping chamber and said distributing system, a liquidsupply tank'and a connection having a valve between said supply tank and said pumping chamber.

10. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system charged with extinguishing liquid under pressure, a main water pipe chamber, a supply connection comprising a control Valve between said pumping chamber andv said distributing. system, a liquid supply tank anda connection having a valve between said supply tank and said'pumping chamber. r 7 11. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system charged with extinguishing liquid under pressure, a main water pipe to supply: additional extinguishing liquid to said system under-fire emergency conditions,a valve between said distributing systemv and water pipeand an automatic pump to force additional amounts of liquid into said distributing system to maintainthe desired pressure therein, said pump comprising a power chamber and a; pumping chamber, a pump connection between said power chamber and said main water pipe, -a waste pipe communicating withsaid power. chamher, a supply connection between Said pumping chamber and said distributing system,

, a liquid supply and a connection between said supply and said pumping chamber.

12. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system charged with extinguishing liquid, a main water pipe connected .to a water system to supply additional extinguishing liquid to said system under fire emergency conditions, a valve between said distributing system and water pipe and automatic means adapted to be operated by pressure in said main water pipe to supply additional amounts of liquid to said distributing system to maintain the desired quantity therein, said means comprising a power chamber and a cooperating pumping chamber connected to said'distributing sys term.

13. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system comprising automatic sprinkler heads and charged withnon-freezing extinguishing liquid under pressure, a main water pipe to supply additional extinguishing liquid to said system under fire emergency conditions, a valve between said distributing system and water pipe and an automatic pump to force additional amounts of non-freezing liquid into said distributing.

freezing extinguishing liquid under pressure, a main Water pipe to supply additional extinguishing liquid to said system under fire emergency conditions, a valve between said distributing system and water pipe and an :automatic pump to force additional amounts of non-freezing liquid into saiddistributing system to pump said distributing systeni. up to the desired pressureiand then automatically stop. such pumping action, said'pumpcomprising a. power chamber and a pumping chamber, a valved pump connection between saldpowerchamber and:

said main water'pipe, a waste pipe communicating with said power chamber, a supply connection between :said pumping chamber; and said distributing system, a liquidsupply and a connectionhaving a valve between said supply and said pumping chamber.

15. In automatic fire extinguishing appael' ratus, a distributing system comprisingiau tomatic sprinkler heads and charged with" extinguishing liquid under pressure, a main 7 water pipe to supply additional extinguishing liquid to said system under fire emergency conditions, a differential valve be tween said distributing system and water pipe and a vpumping device to force additional amounts of liquid into said distributing system to maintain the desired pressure I therein, said pumping device comprising a power chamber and a connected expansible pumping chamber containing, additional extinguishing liquid, a valved pump connection between said power chamber and said main water pipe, and a supply connection comprising a check valve and control valve 7 between said pumping chamber and said distributing system. a f

16. In automatic fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system charged with extinguishing liquid underpressure, a water pipe tosupply additional extinguishing liquid to said system under fire emergency conditions, a valve between said distributing system and Water pipe, and a pumping device to force additional amounts of liquid into said distributing system to maintain the 7 desired pressure therein, said pumping device comprising a power chamber and a connected expansible pumping chamber containing additional extinguishing liquid, a pump connection between said power cham her and said main water pipe,-and a supply pumping chamber and said distributing system. c

17. In automatic fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system charged with extinguishing liquid under pressure, a water pipe, to supply additional extinguishing connection comprising a valve between said liquid to said system under fire emergency 7 conditions, a valve between said distribut ing system and water pi e and a pumping device to force additiona amounts of liqui into said distributing system to maintain the desired vpressure therein, said pumping device comprising a power chamber communlcatlng wlth said water pipe and a .con-

'nected expansible pumping chamber connected to said distributing system and containing additional extinguishing liquid.

18. Infire extinguishing apparatus,u distributing system chargedwith-extinguishing liquid, a main water pipe connected to a Water system to supply additional eXtinguishing liquid'to said system under fire emergency conditions, valve between said distributing system and water pipe and eu tomatic means adapted to be operated by pressure Variations in said main water pipe to supply additional amounts of liquid into said distributing system to maintain the desired quantity therein said meanscomprising a power chamber and e cooperating pumping chamber-connected to said distributing system.

19. In fire extinguishing apparatusa-distributing system charged with non-freezing extinguishing liquid, tt main water pipe c0nnected to a Water system to supply additional extinguishing liquid to said system under fire emergency conditions, a valve between said distributing system and water pipe and an automatic pumpto supply additional amounts of liquid to said-distributing system to maintain the desired quantity therein, said pump comprising a power chamber GOIlIlGCtBCl-WVltll and receiving its power from the Water supply for the system and an opposed pumping chambenend a supply connection comprising a check valve between said pumping chamber and said distributing-system.

JOHN "R. HAMHJTQN. 'WVitnesses IRVING STARK, JJOENJMULOAHEY. 

